Hallervorden-Spatz disease

Symptoms:

Symptoms begin in childhood and are progressive, resulting in death by early adulthood. These include:



Signs and tests:

Neurological examination shows evidence of muscle rigidity; weakness; and abnormal postures, movements, and tremors. The presence of other affected family members may help determine the diagnosis.

There are no specific genetic tests yet for this condition, so other movement disorders and diseases must be ruled out. MRI findings may show iron deposits.




Review Date: 7/28/2002
Reviewed By: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., MSc, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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